Editor’s Note: The following contains spoilers for The Voice Season 27, Episode 7.The Battles continue to heat up in The Voice Season 27 as coaches strive to refine their teams while keeping an eye on potential steals from their fellow celebrity coaches. The role of a coach on this show is undeniably challenging, especially given the intense scrutiny they face from fans and critics alike. However, art is subjective, and musical tastes can vary widely. Ultimately, while coaches are the industry experts, I position myself as a reality television analyst, drawing conclusions based on the narratives presented. Tonight’s results may appear straightforward, yet not every decision is without controversy.
In this insightful segment, Kelsea Ballerini shares her guiding principles for success: talent, a strong work ethic, kindness, and audacity. Her approach has certainly contributed to her achievements in the music industry. In the context of The Voice, these rules have empowered her to enter the competition with confidence. However, it’s worth noting that while being kind is admirable, it does not always guarantee victory. The male contestants are closing in on her, but the evening’s performances by the ladies suggest that an all-female finale is highly desirable.
John Legend Empowers Coco Jones to Lead the Battle
Before we immerse ourselves in the first Battle of the evening, let’s take a moment to catch up with John Legend and his remarkable mentee, Coco Jones. Acknowledging her talent, she aims to extract as much knowledge as possible from him during their mentor session. John Legend confidently states, “I’m 45. I can do whatever I want now,” indicating his freedom to express himself both personally and artistically. As the session unfolds, John pairs Ari Camille with Bryson Battle, both of whom share a soulful vibe. They will perform “Made For Me” by Muni Long, selected to complement their vocal ranges and styles. Both Ari and Bryson are starstruck by Coco, with Ari particularly inspired by her as a strong, independent Black woman thriving in the music industry. Like Coco, Ari is both an actress and a singer, and this moment is a significant milestone for her. Meanwhile, Bryson, who has a background in musical theater, is missing an opportunity to portray Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar at Berklee College of Music, yet he is thrilled to work with John, who previously played Jesus in a live production. Coco is perfectly in tune with both artists, skillfully guiding them through one of the strongest mentor sessions we have witnessed.
This Battle is particularly captivating, as Bryson aspires to make a name for himself on Broadway. He shares how his parents introduced him to the arts, aiming to be a role model for aspiring performers who see themselves represented on stage. His strong performance reflects this ambition. Conversely, Ari Camille radiates undeniable star quality; her stage presence is effortless. She is poised to follow in Coco Jones’ footsteps. While Bryson may showcase a broader vocal range, Ari’s potential for success in the industry is evident. The challenge lies in the fact that this competition is titled The Voice, leading to Bryson being deemed the superior vocalist. Ultimately, John opts for vocal prowess over star power. Fortunately, Adam Levine recognizes the importance of star quality and seizes the moment to use his steal. Just when it appears Adam has outmaneuvered John, Kelsea Ballerini enters the fray, pressing her steal button as well. Both the veteran and the newcomer present compelling arguments, but Ari chooses to join Team Adam, marking a smart move. If this performance is indicative of her talents, she is set to climb to the top of the leaderboard, with song selection being crucial to her success.
Next, John Legend faces another challenging Battle between two distinct yet equally talented singers: Antonio Ramsey and BD.ii. There’s a world where these two could easily form an R&B duo, perhaps reminiscent of the iconic K-Ci & JoJo. My dream pairing takes on “Just Friends (Sunny)” by Musiq Soulchild, a classic that perfectly showcases both of their strengths. Coco Jones appears eager to provide feedback to both singers, perhaps hinting at a desire for future collaboration.
Antonio Ramsey was awarded the Coach Replay, which raises the stakes considerably for him. He reveals that he previously had the opportunity to sing this song alongside Musiq Soulchild, making this a full-circle moment for him. In contrast, BD.ii faces the pressure of being a four-chair turn, meaning he has a lot more to prove. Their chemistry is palpable, and while orange and green may not be the most flattering color combination, their coordinated jackets are impressive. BD.ii possesses what Coco terms a “vinyl-ready” voice, while Antonio’s larger sound tends to overshadow his partner. Despite a cool performance, John ultimately awards the victory to BD.ii. While this decision makes sense, it highlights the unfortunate underestimation of Antonio’s potential by the coaches.
Adam Levine Cultivates a Front Runner on ‘The Voice’
Kicking off his evening, Adam Levine strategically pairs Hayden Grove with Lucia Flores-Wiseman, hoping a jazz standard will ignite their chemistry on stage. Will they find a connection? That’s the pivotal question. Their rehearsal package reveals them to be an odd couple, especially when considering their differences in height, sound, and style. Interestingly, Hayden is an established jazz singer, while Lucia’s venture into jazz represents a departure from her usual repertoire, which may surprise the audience. Adding to the excitement, Kate Hudson returns as a mentor. She brings a unique perspective, offering a behind-the-scenes look at their artistic process.
Hayden and Lucia are set to perform the classic jazz standard “My Funny Valentine.” The challenge with this track lies in its overexposure; countless renditions have been performed across various platforms. Thus, it’s crucial for them to infuse their own spark into this timeless piece. Hayden delivers a performance reminiscent of Michael Bublé, but Lucia Flores-Wiseman truly shines. Her performance evokes memories of when Lady Gaga collaborated with Tony Bennett, showcasing the unique ability of a newcomer to captivate the audience. Lucia’s tone and vibrato possess a special quality that sets her apart. Her versatility as a singer will undoubtedly open many doors for her. Interestingly, I made my comparison of Lucia to Lady Gaga before even hearing Michael Bublé’s critique, suggesting a shared wavelength between the two. It becomes indisputable who emerges victorious in this battle; Adam appears to have intentionally highlighted Lucia’s talent to ensure she stands out. He selects her as the winner, signaling the end of the road for Hayden.
At this juncture in the season, time constraints necessitate that not every performance can be fully showcased, resulting in abbreviated segments. Such was the case for Adam’s pairing of Tori Templet and Grace-Miller Moody, who cover “Use Somebody” by Kings of Leon. Both young talents exude the vibe of a high school talent show, which may explain the decision to limit their performance. Ultimately, Adam declares Grace-Miller Moody the winner.
Celebrating Country Music in a Love Fest
For all the country music enthusiasts, Kelsea Ballerini reminisces about a cherished experience with Little Big Town. After dropping the name, she recounts that unforgettable night at the Grand Ole Opry when they invited her to perform “Girl Crush.” This moment was particularly special as it coincided with her official induction into the Opry. Might any of her artists achieve that honor someday? We’re about to find out as we gear up for the Battle between Alanna Lynise and Brook Wood. Their mutual admiration is evident, almost as if they forgot they are competitors. Both singers possess powerful voices, albeit from different stylistic angles. After Kelsea selects “Angels Like You” by Miley Cyrus, LBT’s Jimi Westbrook reacts with a nonchalant “mhmm,” indicating a lack of familiarity with the song, showcasing how some people can thrive in their own musical bubbles. While the men of Little Big Town may seem out of touch, it’s Kelsea, Karen Fairchild, and Kimberly Schlapman who swoop in with invaluable advice. Kudos to the women!
Choosing a pop rock song for a country and an R&B singer places Alanna and Brook on an even playing field. Their immense support for one another transforms the battle into a collaborative effort rather than a competition. Brook infuses some country twang into her lines, while Alanna, though slightly less intense, compensates with genuine emotional depth. When they harmonize during the chorus, it becomes a powerful musical moment that embodies girl power. Kelsea is on her feet before the song concludes. Ultimately, this battle hinges on pitch, power, and tone. Acknowledging the complexity of her decision, Kelsea ultimately chooses Alanna to advance, likely aiming to retain a country sound while parting with Brook, who exits the competition.
Next up is a literal country love fest featuring Hailey Wright and Jaelen Johnston. Who better to guide this male-female country duo than Little Big Town? However, Kelsea’s choice of “Neon Moon” by Brooks & Dunn raises some eyebrows. While vocally suited to Jaelen’s deep richness, this early ’90s track may not be the best fit for both singers as they aim for contemporary country success. Surely, there must have been a more fitting Little Big Town song available! LBT appears thrilled to assist this duo, joyfully harmonizing together.
Both singers are young and relatively inexperienced in duet performances, making this an excellent opportunity to refine their skills. The song key may not suit Jaelen, leading to a wobbly start in his lower register, which comes off as slightly kitschy. In contrast, Hailey finds her groove, showcasing a beautifully mature tone that suggests she could be a country star. If you close your eyes, you might mistake her for Reba McEntire. While it initially seems like Hailey will triumph in this Battle, Jaelen eventually finds his footing, adding modern flair to the performance, reminding us that transcending a song is essential for success in this competition.
Let’s also highlight Jaelen’s charming twirl with Hailey at the end; it’s a delightful nod to high school prom. As a reality television analyst, knowing where this performance falls in the lineup and the hype surrounding both artists leads me to believe that neither will be eliminated tonight. The question is who wins and where the loser lands. Kelsea awards the victory to Jaelen, ensuring she saves Hailey and keeps a female country talent in her lineup.
Related
This Rookie Coach Is Exactly What ‘The Voice’ Needs Right Now
She’s an artist for the underdogs!
Choosing Between Team Bublé and Team Erivo
In today’s edition of why Cynthia Erivo is an exceptional talent, we ponder whether she could become a full-time coach next season. Not only does she possess immense musical knowledge, but she also brings a sense of fun to her interactions. She effortlessly plays along with Michael Bublé’s dad jokes, showcasing her sense of humor. When Barry Jean Fontenot and Kaiya Hamilton arrive for their coaching session, the excitement is palpable. In this moment, Cynthia shines as she provides invaluable advice about the intricacies of singing. For instance, her simple suggestion for Barry Jean to open his mouth completely transformed his sound. Although he feared the high notes, her guidance helped him find his range. Cynthia also encourages Kaiya to engage her core, enabling her to produce a powerful belt. The way she challenges Kaiya showcases the type of mentorship The Voice desperately needs every season.
As Barry Jean and Kaiya perform “Cry to Me” by Solomon Burke, it becomes clear that both are powerful vocalists. Barry Jean is comfortable in his range, skillfully utilizing his falsetto, while Kaiya may not have his booming sound but compensates with rich tonal colors. Although she seems to play a supporting role in Barry Jean’s performance, she shines during their harmonies, as they align perfectly within her vocal range. Both artists have the potential to advance, but Kaiya seems to have a slight edge. Michael Bublé finds himself torn as he recognizes Barry Jean’s likability, knowing that past winners often have that intangible spark over sheer vocal ability. Ultimately, he awards the victory to Kaiya, though Barry Jean’s journey is far from over. Following the performance, Kelsea offers Barry Jean a steal, while he chooses to remain with Team Michael, despite the coach’s earlier decision to let him go.
For Team Bublé, unfortunately, we don’t get to witness the entire performance of Naomi Soleil and Kameron Jaso. Their song choice of Hall & Oates‘ “You Make My Dreams (Come True)” may not have been the best decision for the reigning champion. Nevertheless, he selects Kameron as the winner. This is not surprising, given that Naomi was one of the later selections during the Blind Auditions. The performance of “Gravity” by John Mayer is similarly abbreviated, with Carlos Santiago defeating Aaron Rizzo, who allegedly performed in shorts and Mary Janes with his electric guitar. Honestly, we deserve to see the full performance! The ladies dominate this evening of battles, showcasing exceptional talent among female contestants this season in The Voice. Kelsea may have a chance to win with a female artist, but the men still have some formidable contenders on their teams. This season is shaping up to be incredibly captivating!
The Voice airs Mondays at 8:00 PM on NBC. All episodes are available for streaming on Peacock.
<source media="(min-width: 481px)" data-srcset="https://static1.colliderimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/sharedimages/2024/04/sjtly63widtegdtgvcaob9aeeyg.jpg?q=49&
